Amidst the second wave of the pandemic, the Maharashtra government has decided to lift the lockdown restriction in half of the state from Friday. However, the plan is reportedly still under consideration.
Unlocking Still Under Consideration
Few minutes after Wadettiwar announced the reopening of all activities in 18 of the 36 states, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray led Maha Vikar Aghadi government issued a clarification. They said that the lockdown has not been lifted. And the proposal is under consideration.
ALSO READ:-Maharashtra also cancels HSC Board exams for 2021
“We have not completely stopped the COVID-19 infection. Infection is still on the rise in some places in rural areas. Considering the deadly and changing form of the virus, it is important to decide whether or not to lift the ongoing curbs. The restrictions in the state have not been lifted,” read the notification in Marathi.
“Under ‘Break the Chain’ order, the government has begun to give some relaxations. Going forward, the Disaster Management Department is considering to unlock the state in five phases based on the weekly positivity rate and the availability of oxygen beds,” the order added
Maharashtra Lifts Lockdown In Some Cities
As per the State Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vijay Wadettiwar, Maharashtra has decided to lift lockdown restrictions in 36 districts from Friday. However, important cities like Mumbai and Pune are not included in the districts and will continue with the Covid 19 lockdown restrictions.
ALSO READ:-‘Black Fungus’ claims 100 in Maharashtra: Health Minister
Talking about the five-level unlock down plan, Wadettiwar said that the upcoming plan will be based on the weekly positivity rate of Covid 19 cases. Along with the status of oxygen-bed occupancy in the state. In the first phase, all lockdown curbs shall be eased in 18 districts with less than 5 percent positivity rate and oxygen-bed occupancy of 25 percent, the minister said.
The districts where the positivity rate is around 5 percent and oxygen-bed occupancy is within 25 percent are Thane, Aurangabad, Nashik, Jalgaon, Dhule, Nagpur, Latur, Nanded, Jalna, Parbhani, Buldhana, Bhandara, Gadchiroli, Chandrapur, Gondia, Wardha, Washim, and Yavatmal.
